Expert Advice - Acid Wear 101
Welcome to BeAcidAware.ca, a website where you can find all sorts of helpful information on acid wear and oral health. I am a Canadian dental expert contributing to the website as your 'virtual dental professional.'
Before you head further into the website, I've explained a few things you should know about acid wear and your teeth below.
Happy reading!
Acid rain, acid wash... acid wear?
If you're hearing this term for the first time or aren't sure what it means, you're not alone. Many Canadians know very little about acid wear, but it's a dental condition that has become increasingly prevalent. In fact, a recent survey found that 93 per cent of Canadian dentists and hygienists report seeing signs of acid wear in their patients.
Acid Wear is the wearing away of the protective enamel on your teeth, often due to exposure to acidic foods and drinks. The acid temporarily softens the enamel, which makes it vulnerable to wear by tooth brushing. Over time, this weakened surface can become thinner and leave your teeth sensitive, discoloured or chipped. Left untreated, the effects of acid wear may lead to complicated and expensive restorative dental procedures.
Oftentimes, without realizing it, we put our teeth at risk when we consume everyday foods and drinks such as fruits, vinegar-based salad dressing, carbonated beverages, fruit juices and wine.
As more and more Canadians are following the Canada Food Guide to Healthy Eating, they are consuming healthier foods. However, many healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables can be acidic, putting teeth at risk of acid wear.
It's also not just what we are eating that affects our teeth; it's how we are eating. Many people prefer to snack or 'graze' throughout the day, but this constant snacking also means they may be putting their teeth under a constant risk of 'acid attack.'
As Canadians, we should be proud of our healthy eating habits, and should continue to follow them! At the same time, we should know how to protect our teeth.
Here are a few helpful tips to keep at home or while snacking on the go to help avoid the effects of acid wear:
- Don't swish acidic drinks around your mouth - swallow them quickly and use a straw to direct acidic liquids away from your teeth.
- Don't brush your teeth right after eating when the enamel is soft. Rinse your mouth with water and wait an hour before brushing.
- Brush twice a day, every day with a toothpaste like ProNamel® from Sensodyne® - it is specifically formulated to help re-harden softened tooth enamel.
- See your dentist once or twice a year for a consultation and cleaning, and make flossing a part of your daily routine.
If you would like to learn more about acid wear, or are curious to find out if you may be experiencing it, look through the useful resources on this website. You can take an acid wear assessment quiz to see if you are at risk, and there is lots of helpful information on the signs, symptoms and prevention of acid wear.
Keep on smiling!